The Karnataka High Court has declined to grant an urgent hearing to actor Ranveer Singh in his plea seeking to quash an FIR filed over alleged mimicry of Rishab Shetty’s portrayal of Chamundi Devi from Kantara 2. The FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after complaints claimed the act hurt religious sentiments during the International Film Festival of India. The court observed that celebrity status does not merit special treatment and scheduled the matter for further hearing on February 24, 2026.

What Triggered the Controversy?

Ranveer Singh, whose upcoming film Dhurandhar: The Revenge is set for release on March 19, 2026, performed a mimicry act at the International Film Festival of India.

The act allegedly imitated Rishab Shetty’s portrayal of Chamundi Devi — a character rooted in religious and cultural reverence within Karnataka. Several complainants argued that the mimicry hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas and disrespected religious beliefs.

An FIR was subsequently filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the new criminal code replacing the IPC.

Legal Arguments by Ranveer Singh

On February 23, 2026, Ranveer approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the FIR.

His legal team argued:

The performance was taken out of context
There was no deliberate intent to insult any religion or community
Criminal proceedings in such a matter are unwarranted

They contended that artistic expression should not automatically invite penal consequences.

High Court’s Observation

The Karnataka High Court refused to grant urgent listing of the matter.

The bench remarked that:

Celebrity status does not entitle anyone to priority hearing
The case will be examined in due course

The next hearing has been scheduled for February 24, 2026, where the court will decide whether the FIR should proceed or be quashed.

Movie Facts – Dhurandhar: The Revenge

Field	Details
Title	Dhurandhar: The Revenge
Lead Actor	Ranveer Singh
Release Date	March 19, 2026
Language	Hindi
Genre	Action Drama

Key Entities

Ranveer Singh – Bollywood Actor
Rishab Shetty – Kannada Actor & Director
Karnataka High Court – Constitutional High Court of Karnataka
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Indian Criminal Code
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) – National Film Festival
Dhurandhar: The Revenge – Upcoming Hindi Film
Kantara 2 – Upcoming Kannada Film

Final Verdict

The controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh highlights the legal sensitivities around religious portrayal and artistic expression in India. With the High Court declining urgent relief, the case will now proceed through the judicial process.

The February 24 hearing could determine whether the matter escalates into a prolonged legal battle or is resolved at the preliminary stage.